Clay County Health Data

Health Score

87/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

78.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

78.4 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.9%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

85

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

406

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

14.8%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

18.2

per 100K residentsCDC: 85.2 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

36.5

per 100K residents

Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.

Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health

These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Clay County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureClayState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity35.5%39.5%37.6%4.0 pts better than state
Diabetes9.5%9.8%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure30.5%31.1%33.5%0.6 pts better than state
Depression21.3%21.5%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureClayState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.9%16.2%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking22.4%22.5%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity24.7%25.1%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureClayState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.7%75.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)66.0%65.6%57.3%near state average
Mammography (women 50–74)77.0%77.4%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureClayState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.5%17.8%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration31.8%33.7%37.3%1.9 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Clay County nationally on obesity.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Clay County Mental Health Provider Ratio Higher Than National Median

Health data brief for Clay County, Iowa.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Clay County reports 406 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a figure that is higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care access is recorded at 85 providers per 100,000, which is higher than the national median of 70. The county's uninsured rate is 4.9%, lower than the Iowa state average of 5.7% and the national average of 10%. Life expectancy in the county is 78.4 years, compared to the Iowa state figure of 77.7 years and the national mark of 77 years. Additionally, 14.8% of residents report poor or fair health, a lower percentage than the national average of 17%. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Clay County, Iowa

Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.

Spencer Municipal Hospital

ER
4/5
(712) 264-6198
1200 1st Avenue East, Spencer, IA 51301
Acute Care HospitalsGovernment - Local

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Clay County, IA?
Clay County has a health score of 87/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #24 out of 99 counties in Iowa (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Clay County?
Life expectancy in Clay County is 78.4 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Clay County above the state average.
How does Clay County health compare to the Iowa average?
Clay County's health score of 87/100 is above the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 78.4 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 4.9% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Clay County?
Key health factors for Clay County include: life expectancy (78.4 years), uninsured rate (4.9%), and primary care physician access (85:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 406:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Clay County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 87/100 ("Excellent"), Clay County is one of the healthier counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 78.4 years. 4.9% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Clay County healthier than the Iowa average?
Clay County's health score of 87/100 exceeds the Iowa average of 78/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.